Band saw



March 1945. w. B. BOICE ET AL 2,371,731

BAND SAW Original Filed June 3, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m I I I n I I I uMarch 20, 1945. w. 0 c ETAL 2,371,731

BAND SAW Original Filed June 3, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 'IIIIII/IIIA March20, 1945.

W. B. BOICE ETAL BAND SAW Original Filed June 3. 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 32/ 43 /0L,- m 54 J 42 In 4/ 2" 7 20 F 5 3 w 226 F/GJ/ H 67 33 I 1.21:: L

L 52 i 9 47a ,4.- r 56 45 9 Patented Mar. 20, 1945 BAND SAW William B.Boice and John E. Boice, Toledo, Ohio Origin 1 application June 3, 1941,Serial No. 396,434. Divided and this application July 19, 1943, S'fifllNo. 495,375

, Claims.

The inventiomrelates to band saws and in its j more particular aspectsrelates to a common support for a telescoping band saw guard and a sawguide.

The object of this invention is to provide in a band saw a commonsupport for a saw guard and for a saw guide.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction in whichthe saw is completely enclosed within a guard structure and therebyexpose to view only that part of the saw which is actually being usedfor a cutting operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction inwhich the-saw guide and the guard are simultaneously adjusted to thedesired height.

A still further object of the invention is,to

provide a guard construction at the'op'erator's station whichsubstantially surrounds the saw and which telescopes into the wheelguard and which also supports the saw guide for simultaneous verticaladjustment;

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide acombination saw guide and guard construction that is easily slid out ofposition and which provides a maximum rigidity to the cutting blade inany vertical adjustment of the combined guard and guide.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide asimplified guard and guide construction that reduces the number of partsemployed, accelerates the set up" time and reduces the number ofadjustments when changing for varying thicknesses of work.

Another and still further object oi the invention is to provide a onepiece telescoping guard mounted on a support securable to the machineframe and which--support holds the saw guide; the two structures are soconstructed and arranged that the guard encloses the saw guide tocompletely guard the saw.

other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilledin the art to which this invention pertains as the description proceedswhich taken in connection with the accompany- '-lng drawings sets forththe preferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosures are notto be taken as a limitation of the invention which is limited only bythe appended claims and any and all modifications, alterations andvariatlons of construction coming within the spirit and scope are deemedto be included herein.

In the drawings:

Fi ure 1 is the front side elevational view of the upper portion of aband saw. Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but showing the reverseside of the machine.

Figure 3 is a section view taken substantially alongthe line 3 3 oiFigure 4-.

Figure 4 is a view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed view of the locking means for theguard.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the saw guide taken from theoperator's side.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the reverse side of the saw guide.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the guard and g ide assembly.

Figure 9 i an end view of the devices shown in Figures 6,7, and 8.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 7 but modified toshow the guide mounted below the work table.

Figure 11 is an end ele'vational view of the structure shown in Figure10.

Figure 12 shows a modified structure similar to Figure 4.

Figure 13 is a section view taken along the line 13-43 oi Figure 12.-

This application is a division of previous application S. N. 396,434,filed June 3, 1941.

Band saws in the past have been constructed with saw guards thatterminate a considerable distance above the work table or surface andhave provided no protection to the operator 'for the saw between thework table top and the guard. A saw guide customarily provided below theguard afl'orded some protection but limitations of con struction limitedthe closeness with which the guide could be put to the work piece. Theapplicants have provided a guard that telescopes or slides in the guardsurrounding the band saw head and that supports a saw guide. The entirecombination is supported on a rod or bar support that slides verticallywith respect to the guard supported on the band saw head and i soarranged that vertic'a'l adjustment of the rod or bar adjusts both guardand guide and brings both immediately above the work and encloses thesaw a maximum amount and provides a maximum of support for the sawduring the cutting operation, and which is easily slid out of the waywhen not needed or when replacing work.

The physical embodiment of structure accomplishing the results andobjects described above is set forth in the band saw head and guidestructure detailed on the attached drawings in which I indicates theband saw head and wheel guard. The head comprises a frame structure 2(Fig. 4) which has attached thereto a sheet metal cover 3. The framestructure also supports a band saw wheel 4 which i rotatably mounted inbearings (not shown) supported in frame 2 and adapted for verticaladjustment by means of hand wheel 5 in order to keep saw 5 properlytensioned.

The sheet metal casing 3 i adapted to completely surround the wheel 4except for an opening on the front side of the machine through whichaccess may be had to the wheel 4 and which is guarded by means of anappropriate cover I that may be hinged or otherwise swingably secured tothe band saw head.

The sheet metal cover 3 extends to the right of the frame 2 to form asubstantially tubular opening or extension 8 which is shown as being ofa generally rectangular shape although it could assume a variety ofshapes. The frame 2 has a plurality of brackets or extensions 9, 9secured thereto or integral therewith which extend into the tubularopening or extension 8. These brackets or extensions 9, 9 are adapted toform a bearing or backing for the vertical motion of the combinationguide and guard structure I0. Brackets 9, 9 are appropriately formed ornotched to receive portions of the element It such that it may be movedvertically and axially of the extension or opening 8 to adjust the guardand guide structure III and thereby move it toward or away from a workpiece supported on a table (not shown). The general organization of themachine is shown in a companion application S. N. 402,014 filed July 11,1941 and issued May 2, 1944 as Patent Number 2,347,765.

The element Ill previously described as adjustable axially relatively ofthe extension 8 comprises a bar member II to which is secured a channelshapedguard member I 2 having one leg thereof secured to the bar I I;each of the elements II and I2 being considerably greater in length thanthey are in width. The member I2 is somewhat U shaped as shown in theillust tion but the ultimate shape of the element I2 is determined bythe particular shape of the tubuiar extension 8 and in any eventextension 8 and member I2 are complementary to each other.

The bar element II has secured thereto a saw guide I3 which will be morespecifically described elsewhere in the specification. It comprisesbriefly a pair of relatively stationary saw guides to prevent flexing ofthe saw blade 6 and also contains an adjustable backing guide which isin the form of a roller.

Means have been provided in the locking element I4 which is adapted tohold the element I in any adjusted position. The looking element I4comprises a shouldered and counterbored nut element I5, the shoulderedportion of which fits behind or back of wall element 3. See Fig. 5. Ascrew element I6 is threaded over a. portion of its length and isthreadably engaged in the nut I and has its one end in engagement withelement III against the wall portion of chan-- nel member I 2 which issupported on the bar II. A spring I7 is concentrically disposed on thescrew element I6 and has its one end engaging one of the wall portionsof element I0 and the other end of the spring is in engagement with oneend of the nut element IS; the counterbore of the nut .element ,I5providing a housing for the spring I I. A handle I8 is slidably engagedwith an enlarged end of screw I6 whereby the said screw I6 may berotated and locked against element Ill by pressing bar I I in engagementwith bracket 9, 9.

Attention at this point is invited to the fact that the spring I1 istensioned such that it will exert enough pressure on the element In andagainst brackets 9, 9 to hold element I0 against sliding motion in thetubular extension 8 during periods of adjustment or in other wordsproducing sufiicient friction between bar element II and the notches inbrackets 9, 9 in which the bar II form of a' slides such that thegravitational force on the element III will be overcome thereby enablingthe operator to quickly adjust the element I0 and be relieved of thetask of holding the said element II) while the locking screw I6 isturned home. Attention is further invited to the fact that theshouldered portion of nut I5 prevents an axial separation of the nut I5and the wall portion 3 thereby assuring the operator that the lockingmechanism I4 will always be in a serviceable condition. Locking elementI4 is arranged in proximity to brackets 9, 9 and is preferably disposedbetween them.

Reference is now made to Figures 6, 7, and 8 which show a more detailedconstruction of the saw guide that is secured to and rigidly associatedwith the element Ill. The saw guide originates in a track element I9rigidly secured to the element I 8 and in particular to the bar I Iwhich constitutes the basic support for the channel member I2 and thesaw guide I3. The mode of securing track element I9 to bar I2 is bymedium of a. spacer element 23 that is welded or otherwise secured tothe bar II. The element 28 more preferably called a. spacer, has twoapertures therein through which a pair of screws 2i, 2I are passed andwhich are threaded to the track element I9 which constitutes the base ofthe saw guide I3.

Slidably mounted on the track element I9 is a. first frame 22 which hasa pair of slideways 22a and 22!) arranged thereon which fit over thetrack element I9. Arranged at one end of the frame 22 is a forkedholding element 23 integral with the frame 22 that adiustably receives apair of rigid guide elements 24 and 25. These guide elements are adaptedto prevent a flexing of the saw blade 6 as it passes through the forkedend 23 of the frame 22 between said guide elements 24 and 2-5. A pair oflocking screws 26 and 21 are provided in each of the forks to adjustablysecure the guides 24 and 25 in position.

A second frame 28 is slidably arranged on the track element I9 and isprovided with slideways 28a and 28b which are spaced alternately to theguides 22a and 22b of the frame element 22. The frame 28 has arranged atone end thereof, on an appropriate bracket 38. a backing or roller guide29. The roller guide 29 may be removed from the bracket by means ofscrew element 3|.

Means have been provided for adjusting the roller guide 29 and thestationary guides 24 and 25 relatively to each other and to the trackelement I9 and bar' I I and to that end the frames 28 and 22 are adaptedto be locked to the track element I9 by means of locking screws 32 and33; the latter screws 32 and 33 being placed respectively in frames 28and 22 and normally kept in a turned home condition. Each of the frames.28 and 22 have ears 36 and 31 respectively mounted thereon that arebored, each of which bores are disposed on the same, or have a commonaxis.

The means for sliding the guides 23, 24 and 3| relatively to each otherand to the saw 6 comprises a screw element 35 that is rotatably receivedand held in the ear 3'! and is threadably received in the ear 36, thescrew being threaded at its one end as shown in the several figures ofthe drawings. The other end of the screw 35 has a knurled handle 34which facilitates the turning of the screw 35. When it is desired toadjust the frame supporting the guide elements relatively to the trackelement I9 and the bar I I it is necestrack element 'sary that one ofthe locking screws 32 or 33 be -the frame along the track element is.Now assume that it is desired to adjust the frame -22.

Screw 33 is released whereupon the screw 34 is rotated and since frame28 is locked to the track element I9 it is evident that the axial motionof the screw 35 will slide the frame 22 along the ill by reason of thefact that the screw is rotatably associated with the ear 3]. After eachadjustment each of screws 32 or 33 is turned home to lockeach of theframes 22 and 28 in any selected position of adjustment.

The guard i2 it will be observed, completely protects the saw and guidesleaving no part of the saw exposed above the guide. The assembly I isadjusted such that it Just clears the work and then furnishes maximumrigidity to the saw and maximum safety to the operator.

Attention is at this point invited to the fact that one of the forkedportipns of frame 22 which holds guide element 24 is disposed at anangle .of approximately 45 t the longitudinal dimension of the frame orto the longitudinal axis of guide 25. Advantage is taken of thisparticular constructional feature in making this part directlyinterchangeable with a corresponding part of a saw guide disposed belowthe table top. The assembly of the slightly modified lower saw guide andits method of mounting on the base of the machine is shown moreparticularly in Figures and 11. The complete machine assembly is showninthe companion case referred to above.

In Figure 10, 40 indicates a portion of a bracket mounted on anappropriate base (not shown) of the band saw, on which a trunnion 4| isrigidly mounted by means of one or more screws Mb. The trunnion 4ireceives a complementary element 42 secured to table top 43 and bolt 44and nut 44:: serves to lock elements 4| and 42 together. This structureforms subject matter explained in greater detail in the companion caseidentified above. The trunnion M has an extension 4Ia, through whichscrew 4i b passes, resting on bracket 40 and serves a purpose similar tospacer element described in connection with Figures 6, 7, and 8. Theelement He is slightly enlarged at one end as shown in Figure 10.

The shouldered or enlarged portion of am has mounted thereon the trackelement 45 that is made secure thereon by means of screws 46, 46 passingthrough appropriate apertures in the portion Ha. Mounted on track 45 aretwo frame members 41 and 48 that are substantially identical inconstruction with elements 22 and 28 described above. In actualmanufacture each of the portions 41a and 48a on the frames is originallycast with an angulariy extending portion adapted to receive thecorresponding one of lock screws 49 and 50 that engage track element 45to lock the frame in position. In the construction of parts 22 and 28these small extensions are milled off to present the structure ofFigures 6-9. By pursuing this expedient one mold or die of each partwill sumce for all parts and therefore each corresponding part may beselectively employed on either guide by allowing the extension to remainor milling it on. 'As an actual matter of fact extensions 41a and 48aneed not be provided at all but only serve a convenient expedient tobetter receive and locate screws 49 and in the lower guide.

The frame 48 is provided with a forked end 48b in each of the prongs ofwhich a rigid guide Si or 52 is supported and held by screws 54 or 53respectively. The frame 41 has roller guide 55 rotatably mounted thereonin a manner similar to guide 29 on frame 28. Cutter or saw 611 operatesbetween guides 5i and 52 and against the .roller 55 in the manner andfor the purpose more particularly described in connection with thedescrlption of Figures 6, 7, and 8. Attention is again called to thefact that one of the guides is disposed at an angle of approximately 45to the other. This construction enables the guides to be placedimmediately against the work or against the bottom of the table top. Italso permits the cutting of a thicker piece of stock when the table istilted at an angle from the horizontal.

Frame 47 has an ear 56 integrally associated therewith and frame 48 hasan ear 5'! thereon, shown partially in the dotted lines in Fig. 10, and

in which screw 58 is rotatably mounted. The

screw 58 is threadably associated with ear 56. A knurled handle 59 issecured to screw 58 to rotate the latter. The association of theimmediately foregoing structure is similar in construction, function andpurpose to the corresponding ear and screw structures of Figures 6, 7, 8and 9. The mode of operation and adjustment is likewise similar to thatset forth in connection with aforementioned figures. Handle 59 forconvenience is brought to an exterior edge of table 43. It is evidenttherefore that by a slight alteration the parts are interchangeable andthat two molds or dies sufiice to make all the parts and a small amountof machining is all that is necessary to selectively prepare the partsfor use on either the upper or the lower saw guides.

Figures 12 and 13 show a modification of the combination of Figures 3and 4. In the latter figures the brackets 9, 9 are integrally associatedwith the frame 2 whereas in Figures 12 and 13 the brackets 60 and 6! areextended and secured directly to the wall 3. All of the parts functionand operate exactly as those described in connection with Figures 3, 4and 5 and the numbers of the parts occurring in Figures 12 and 13 andthat also occur in Figures 3-5 bear primes.

That which is considered new, novel and useful and which is sought t beprotected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a band saw head; a wheel guard having a tubular extension mountedon the machine frame forming a part of said head; a bar slidably mountedin said tubular extension; a substantially U shaped guard within which aband saw operates, integrally supported on said bar along one of itsedges and closely fitting interiorly .of said tubular portion; said bararranged within the channel of the U shaped guard adjacent said bandsaw; vertically spaced means on said frame within said tubular extensionforming bearings for said bar; and means to lock said bar and guard inadjusted position against said means on said machine frame, said lockincluding means to frictionally hold said bar and its U shaped guard inany position prior to the application of said lock and appliedintermediate said spaced means.

2. In a band saw head; a guard supported on said head; a tubularextension on said guard; a frame supporting said guard and itsextension; a

bar element siidable relatively axially in said extension in axiallyspaced brackets supported on said frame within said tubular extension,said brackets forming bearings; a channel shaped guard mounted on saidbar, one leg of said channel integrally secured to the bar for its fulllength within the channel of said guard, said channel shaped guardclosely fitting said extension; said brackets disposed within thechannel of said guard means to frictlonally hold said bar and channel insaid brackets against axial movement relative to said extension bygravitational action; said means to frictionally hold said bar actingagainst said guard intermediate said axially spaced brackets; and meansto lock said bar in said brackets in said tubular extension againstrelative axial movement.

3. In a device as defined in claim 2; in which said lock and frictionalmeans comprises a, shouldered nut, a spring element and a screw inconcentric relation to said spring element.

4. In a band saw head incorporating a portion of a machine frame and ahead guard including a tubular extension of said guard; said guard andextension supported on said frame; means to guard a saw telescopicallyassociated with said extension; said means comprising a supporting bar,and a channel shaped guard element having one wall fixed to said bar thefull length thereof,

said bar arranged interiorly of said channel, bearing brackets mountedon said frame within said extension and within said channel in whichsaid bar is slidably mounted for movement relatively axially of saidextension; a resilient holding means to prevent relative telescopicmovement of said head guard extension and said means in said bearingbrackets to guard and guide the saw by reason of gravitational action;and means to rigidly lock the latter elements against relativetelescopic movement in said bearing brackets: said resilient means andsaid means to lock urging said bar into a locking relation with saidbrackets.

5. In a band saw; a head; a guard on said head and supported on a frameconstituting a part of said band saw: said guard having a tubularextension beyond the frame portion of the head; a bar element siidablein said extension in bearing elements associated with said framedisposed within said tubular extension, said bearing elements comprisingaxially spaced brackets having notches therein and said bar siidable insaid notches; a channeled saw guard fixed to said bar along the fulllength of one wall thereof; said bar and said brackets disposed withinsaid channeled saw guard; lock means to hold said bar and guard inadjusted position in said brackets in said tubular extension, said lockcomprising a spring pressed element to overcome gravitational action onthe bar and guard and a lock bolt to rigidly lock said bar in saidnotched brackets, said lock means and said lock bolt acting between saidbrackets and urging said bar against said brackets in locking relation.

6. In a telescoping saw guard and head guard construction mounted on theframe of a band saw; a tubular extension on said head guard; a pair ofnotched brackets mounted on said frame within said tubular extension;said brackets axially spaced in said extension an elongated bar siidablein the notches in said brackets; a saw guard comprising an elongatedchannelled member of which the full length of one leg thereof is securedto said bar; said bar and its integrated channeled member siidable forthe full length thereof in said extension and in said notches;

and means acting between said brackets on said bar to prevent relativeaxial motion of said bar and channelled member in said extension, saidmeans urging said bar against said notched brackets to prevent relativeaxial movement of said bar and said extension.

7. In a band saw head; a tubular like extension on said head; aframeforming part of said head and supporting said extension; a pair ofbearing bracket means on said frame axially disposed within saidextension; a support vertically siidable in said brackets within saidextension; a saw guard in the form of a substantially U- shaped sectionsecured to said support along one of its legs; and a spring pressedmeans arranged in the wall of said extension engaging said guard and itssupport between said bearing bracket means to frictionally hold saidguard in any position of adjustment in said brackets in said extension,said means including a screw element to lock said guard and support inadjusted position.

8. In a band saw head; a frame; means secured to said frame forming ahead and having a substantially tubular extension thereon; a supportvertically siidable in said extension; bearing bracket means associatedwith said frame and disposed within said extension adapted to slidabLvreceive said support, said brackets axially spaced in said extension; asubstantially U shaped section guard element secured to said supportalong one of itslegs; and means engaging said guard and its supporturging said support against said bearing bracket means to hold saidguard and its support in any position of adjustment, said means actingintermediate said axially spaced bearing brackets.

9. In a band saw head; a frame; a guard means including a tubularextension thereof mounted on said frame; a pair of spaced apart bracketsfixed to said frame and disposed within said extension; a. bar elementmovable in said extension and slidable in said brackets; a channelshaped guard member having one leg thereof integrally associated withsaid bar throughout its full length; means to hold said channel and barin any position in said extension, said means comprising a cup shapedelement fixed in said extension, a screw clamp coaxially arranged withrespect to said cup shaped element. and spring means to urge said barinto engagement with said brackets to hold said bar and channel prior tolocking same in adjusted position with said screw, said screw clamparranged to act between said spaced apart brackets.

10. In a band saw; a head; a guard on said head supported on a frameconstituting a part of said head and having an open ended tubularextension; a bar element siidable in said extension in bearing bracketsfixed to said frame, said bearing brackets axially spaced within saidextension; a channel shaped guard having one leg thereof integrallyassociated with said bar; said channel shaped guard and its associatedbar axially siidable within said extension; a locking means to hold saidbar and channel in adjusted position comprising a spring element to holdit against gravitational movement and a coaxially arranged clamping boltand nut. fixed in said extension to rigidly clamp said bar and channelin adjusted position, said clamping bolt disposed between said bearingbrackets.

WILLIAM B. BOICE. JOHN E. BOICE.

